Geranium plant named `Guirac`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Guirac,` characterized by its double-type red flowers, medium-green foliage, zonation around the base of the upper side of the leaf that is moderately conspicuous and moderately compact plant habit with excellent branching.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum, and hereinafer referred to bythe cultivar name `Guirac`.

`Guirac` is a product of planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with double red flowers andleaves with a zonation.

`Guirac` was originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France in 1989. The female andmale parents were unnamed hybrids from the proprietary Guilloucollection, both parents being characterized by red, double-type flowersand leaves with zonation.

`Guirac` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by the inventor in 1989 in a controlledenvironment in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France.

The first act of asexual reproduction of `Guirac` was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1993 in acontrolled environment in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France by a technicianworking under the supervision of the inventor. Horticultural examinationof seleced units initiated in 1994 in Hannover, Germany has demonstratedthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for `Guirac`are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction. `Guirac` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length withouta change in genotype. The following observations, measurements, andcomparisons describe plants grown in Hannover, Germany under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic chaacteristics of `Guirac` which in combination distinguishthis geranium as a new distinct cultivar.

1. Double-type flowers.

2. Red flowers.

3. Medium-green foliage.

4. Zonation around the base on the upper side of the leaf is moderatelyconspicuous.

5. Moderately compact plant habit.

6. Well branched plant habit.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to `Guirac` is `Tavira.` In comparison to`Tavira,` `Guirac` has more visible zonation near the base of the upperside of the leaf. `Guirac` has narrow ellipitc flower buds while`Tavira` has regular elliptic flower buds.

The accompanying drawing(s) show typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Guirac`.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the cultivar.

FIG. 2 is a view of the upper side of a typical leaf and flower of thecultivar.

FIG. 3 is a view of the under side of a typical leaf and flower of`Guirac`.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. The color values weredetermined between in 1994 under greenhouse conditions at in Hannover,Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum.

Commercial.--Ivy geranium cultivar `Guirac`.

INFLORESCENCE:

A. Umbel:

Average diameter.--Approximately 92 mm.

Average depth.--Approximately 40 mm.

Peduncle length.--Approximately 148 mm.

Pedical length.--Approximately 10 mm.

B. Corolla:

Average diameter.--Approximately 50 mm.

Form.--Double-type with medium petals.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Red.

Color (tip and center).--Red, approximately R.H.S. 46C.

Color (base).--Pink-red, approximately R.H.S. 52B.

C. Bud:

Shape.--Narrow elliptic.

Color (immature).--Green, no anthocyanin.

Color (mature).--Red.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--3-7 fertile anthers with white filaments and orange pollen.

Gynoecium.--5-6 lobed stigma with red style and stigma.

E. Spring flowering response period: 1-6 umbels open 15 weeks afterplanting unrooted cuttings (pinched plants.)

F. Outdoor flower production: 80-90 umbels per plant from April/Maythroughout September/October.

G. Durability: Shatter resistance is good.

PLANT

A. Foliage:

Form.--Ivy-shaped.

Margin.--Open to closed base.

Color (margin).--Medium-green, approximately R.H.S. 138A.

Color (center).--Medium-green.

Color (zonation).--Reddish-brown, moderately conspicuousness.

Tolerance of Botrytis.--Good.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--30-40 mm.

Branching pattern.--5-6 branches per plant.

Height.--50-60 cm. in August.

Information about the plant:

Length of stem.--Long.

Color of stem.--Green.

Information about the leaf blade:

Length.--Medium to long.

Width.--Medium.

Base.--Open to closed.

Main color of upper side.--Medium green.

Variegation.--Absent.

Zone on upper side.--Present.

Conspicuousness of zone on upper side.--Medium.

Color of zone on upper side.--Reddish-brown.

Undulation of margin.--Medium.

Information about the inflorescence:

Number of open flowers.--Small.

Diameter of largest flower.--Medium to large.

Pedicel: color in middle third.--Light red.

Pedicel swelling.--Present.

Time of beginning of flowering.--Early to medium.

Information about bud and flower:

Shape of flower bud.--Narrow and elliptic.

Type of flower.--Double.

Number of petals of flower.--Medium.

Margin of petal.--Entire.

Width of upper petal.--Medium.

Upper petal.--Color of margin of upper side: Red, R.H.S. 46C. Color ofmiddle of upper side: Red, R.H.S. 46C. Color of lower side: pink-red,R.H.S. 52B. Markings: present. Type of marking: stripes. Conspicuousnessof markings: weak. White zone at the base: absent.

Lower petal.--Color of margin of upper side: Red, R.H.S. 50A. Color ofmiddle of upper side: Red, R.H.S. 50A. Color of lower side: darkpink-red, R.H.S. 46D. Markings: absent.

Inner petal.--Color of middle of upper side: Red, R.H.S. 50A. Markings:absent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named `Guirac,` as illustrated and described. 